“So he is our leak.”
“It’s not confirmed yet, but it’s looking that way.He accessed the servers at three in the morning last Tuesday, downloaded all the Serastra marketing materials, and uploaded them somewhere off our network.We’re tracing the destination now.”
My jaw tightens.“He’s got nothing to do with the campaign anymore.He shouldn’t even have access to the cloud server.Nobody aside from me, Eve, and Iris do anymore.”
“That’s why I told you to keep all data about the Serastra event solely on your computer.No shared drives, no emails with attachments.Work offline completely if possible.”Ethan’s voice is tense.“Keep things off the cloud.I don’t know how he could access it.But it’s troubling.”
“If he got any information, it was outdated,” I point out.“We’ve been offline since the craftsmen cancelled on us.Eve’s been on top of it.She’s been uploading wrong information on the server just to throw anyone off.”
Ethan looks impressed by her devious action.“She’s smart.”
“I know.”I feel pleased at the praise directed towards her.
We pull into the curved driveway of our parents’ house, and I spot Jake’s cherry-red Porsche already parked near the entrance.“Is this some sort of intervention?”I ask warily.“What is Jake doing here?”
“Don’t be dramatic,” Ethan says, killing the engine.“Jake had to take Natalie and Sophie to the vet after work.I couldn’t go because of my meetings with the investors and then with you.”
It takes me a moment to process this information.“Wait—Natalie’s been bringing Sophie to work?”
“Yes.”
A grin spreads across my face.“Can I get a puppy and start bringing it to work, too?”
“No,” Ethan says flatly.
“How about a lizard?”I ask as I get out of the car.“Or a pet tarantula?I hear they’re super cuddly."
“Get inside, Caleb.”
The imposing brownstone on Park Avenue stands like a sentinel of old money elegance, its warm brick exterior and polished brass fixtures a testament to generations of wealth.I grew up running through these hallways, sliding down banisters when Mom wasn’t looking, hiding from Jake and Nick during games of tag that usually ended with me in trouble.
We step inside, and I immediately spot Dad walking towards the entrance.The man has dark hair and amber eyes filled with mild irritation.He looks like an older version of Ethan, apart from the casual navy cardigan and slacks he’s wearing instead of Ethan’s usual impeccable suits.But what catches my attention is the tiny gray head peeking out from one of his pockets, bright blue eyes looking curiously at the world.
“Sophie!”I exclaim, instantly forgetting the irritation about missing my evening with Eve.“Is that her?She’s so tiny!”
I reach out to pet the kitten, but Dad pulls back, scowling.“Don’t just lunge at her like that, Caleb.You’ll frighten her.”
“I wasn’t lunging,” I protest, but I lower my hand anyway.“I was going to pet her gently.”
Ethan raises an eyebrow at our father.“Why are you carrying her around, Dad?”
Dad straightens, looking oddly defensive.“Natalie’s busy with your mother, so I’m looking after Sophie.”He clears his throat, trying to sound casual.“I’m taking her for a walk around the house to acquaint her with the furniture.”I bite back a laugh.The mighty Harold Wilder, terror of the courtroom for thirty years, reduced to kitten daycare.
“Can I at least touch her?”I ask, keeping my voice soft.
Dad hesitates, then nods reluctantly.I reach out and tap Sophie gently on her tiny nose.She blinks at me, then lets out the smallest, most pathetic meow I’ve ever heard.
“That’s enough,” Dad says, pulling her back protectively.“You’re overwhelming her.”
I roll my eyes.“A nose tap is overwhelming?She’s not made of glass, Dad.”
“She’s adjusting to a new environment,” he says with a frown, stroking the kitten’s head with one finger.“She needs stability and routine.”
I exchange a look with Ethan, who seems just as amused as I am.Who would’ve thought Dad would become a cat person?Then again, he’s always had a soft spot for small, helpless things.It’s why Megan gets away with murder.
“I’m going to see Mom,” I announce, heading toward the living room.
The luxurious scent of Mom’s jasmine perfume mingles with fresh flowers as I walk in.Mom and Natalie are seated on the cream-colored sofa, heads bent together over what looks like a catalog.Mom’s silver-gray hair falls loosely around her shoulders today instead of in her usual updo, and she’s wearing a cream silk blouse with a long charcoal skirt.
